When Joy’s immigration status was refused, she did not realise until months later. Because of a brain injury, she cannot read and finds it difficult to process official information. By the time she came to Voices in Exile, her Universal Credit had stopped, her bank account had been closed, and she was struggling to meet basic needs for herself and her children.
Voices in Exile supported Joy with specialist immigration advice and practical advocacy. We worked with her social worker to understand her circumstances and arranged a home visit to make our service accessible. We prepared a fee waiver application, gathered detailed supporting evidence from the client and her family, and submitted a further application for leave to remain as the parent of British children, including a request for the Home Office to consider granting indefinite leave on a discretionary basis.
When Joy’s bank account was closed because of her immigration status, Voices in Exile made representations to the Home Office, helping her regain access to banking. We also made reasonable adjustments such as arranging for the Home Office mobile biometrics team to visit her at home, provided emergency support through hardship funds and referred her for community care advice.
Joy was granted a fee waiver in February 2026 and was able to submit a parent application without paying the proscribed fee and Immigration Healthcare Surcharge (around £4000 in total). Joy was able to submit a new immigration application, regain access to her bank account and meet her basic needs while awaiting a social services reassessment. With her case now moving forward, Joy hopes to secure her status and focus on rebuilding stability for herself and her children.
At Voices in Exile, we continue to support around 750 refugees and vulnerable migrants through advice & casework each year. Together, we can help create communities where everyone feels safe, welcome and included.